Cut up in the north is more laughter or joking around, or to chop up things like vegetables. Break down is flatting boxes for recycling, or a nervous break down, or emotional break down. I think we say: to deconstruct a finished item to make it into its parts. I just found you just this week. I think tomorrow I’m going to thrift stores!
I grew up in the south and your humor is like a breath of fresh air to me. Also I’m loving this whole video series/idea! Using mens shirts is such a great idea I can’t believe I didn’t think of it on my own!
"I just nearly stuck those scissors straight in my face." Laaaawd, I'm so glad I'm not the only person who encounters hazards like that! 😅Look, a lot of us (especially Southern women, in my experience) talk with our hands! These things (nearly) happen! SO relatable. Your videos are very enjoyable to watch. Looking forward to more.
I'm interested to see in future segments if you mention how to deal with bias as the fabric gets cut for use. LOVE your video content and more so your delivery (from personable manner to backend/technical decisions that come through in your videos). All too many tutorials have a rushed manner about them; yours are very relaxing.
You only have 5 videos so far and you already have over 4,000 subscribers?! That's amazing, and yet I'm not surprised. Looking forward to seeing all your videos.
Haha! I enjoy your comments so much! I moved to Georgia 3 years ago and find so many people to be charming! Sometimes I have to ask them to explain. However I grew up in Scotland and South Africa so I have a lot of sayings from both places and I have to explain myself too! Life is fun!
I love all your tutorials!! You had me laughing this morning!! You will get a lot of Karen’s giving their opinion! Don’t listen to them! Can’t wait till the next 😍
It's interesting how things pop up in your RUclips Feed! Your video appeared and your thumbnail intriuged me! Thanks for the great ideas. I do a little quilting & making clothing. I work in a fabric store so I'm always surrounded by fabric! Blessings from Ontario, Canada
LOVE your videos!! I first used a man's shirt when making a "memory" quilt and also saw the value of the fabric in it. Now I'm thinking I've got to start thrifting and find some more. Keep the videos coming as I love your sense of humor and it definitely made me smile!!
I use the Side Seams from men's shirts, to tie up my flowers and tomato plants to a trellis or tomato c age. They blend in and hold tight. They are gentle to the plants, too.
Kathy Hoffart, I tie them onto my re useable shopping bags to stop people from 'accidently' waking off with them. So many repurpose uses for the seams! 🙂
@@patwinter800 I agree that there are numerous uses for the 'strings.' I roll my linens (top sheet, bottom sheet, and pillowcases) for each bed in a separate bundle and tie with shirt seams and fabric selvages. With cute little bows for easy removal. Blankets too. I have so many though that I am mulling over some creative projects to use them up.
@@mambakind I love all your ideas! With the seams ( if not to thick) and fabric selvedges ( especially) you can make your own material by raw edge stitching onto backing material. Fusible webbing works really well for appliques etc.. Then there's those unique quit blocks, carry bags, wall art, small play rugs, sensory books and toys plus pet items. I hope once Cathy has finished the shirt series she does one on denim jeans. 🙂
@@patwinter800 Yes, I made some postcards with selvages. I want a jeans video too. I am somewhat leery of using such heavy fabric and could use some hand-holding.
Seam Reaper; you’re killing me! I laughed so hard during your first video at that blooper, and I just know I’ll never call it a seam ripper again. Love your down-home, chatty presentation, like you’re talking to a friend over coffee, and the way you laugh at yourself. It’s very honest, comfortable and friendly. I don’t subscribe to many RUclipsrs, but I did here.😊
I grew up and live in northeast KY. I totally can understand your sayings and love to hear all you have to say. I’m also a retired nurse and understand the being cold at work. I freeze year round even with a T-shirt or in winter thermal shirt, scrub top and lab jacket. I feel for your coworkers!!🥶🥶 Also Iin my area cutting up could be laughing a little too loud for the Drs you were working with. 😂😂😂
This is a very interesting process. So glad you cut those seams off and aren't saying that we should unpick the seams. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, ideas and humor. 😅
I wanted unique fabrics for my island print stash, and found cheap ones to deconstruct. Got some real treasures that way. I also transitioned from seam ripping to simply cutting, with a few exceptions.
You are delightful!! I lived in the south for about 18 months and have never lost my love for the area, the people, the accent, and the vocabulary. This series is wonderful and I'm so glad I found you. I have some linen women's shirts that I've wanted to break down and use the fabric to make a patchwork skirt. Thanks ever so much for sharing your expertise.
I have a hard time using the words cut up, specifically with customers about memory pillows. I think I might start using deconstructing, it sounds nicer. I'm really enjoying your videos, learning alot 🙂 Thanks for sharing ✂️👔
This is a lot nicer way to break down. Saw a video of a lady in England and she snip the ripped. Not very nice. Love that your husband put comments up. Keep it up very entertaining.
You’re the most adorable kook and I just love your sense of humor. Wish you were a neighbor…..I am just as kookie as you are can you imagine the fun we would have….I am watching to see what you come up with the collars and cuffs…..I cut away the buttons last time, will remove them next time in hopes that the extra work you are causing me is well worth it HA!
I don’t know about you, but I find it very therapeutic in cutting up shirts and especially jeans. I also keep the seams I cut away because I use the in so many other crafts.
So, do you steal men's shirts while looking for other things or do you steal other things then happen upon men's shirts before you hightail it out of your preferred place for thievery? 🥴 Just playing with you and couldn't resist.
OMG! I can't stop chuckling over the thought of taking those sleeves to work for the gals who are cold! Absolutely genius!! Can't wait for the next video! (I am continuing to look for that guy with the yellow shirt and dachshunds. I NEED that shirt!) :)
You will forever regret not asking that guy for the dachshund shirt! 😂 I thought those sleeves were hysterical too…my work girls prob would just roll their eyes at me. They’re fairly used to my silliness!
Love your channel, and I always say ‘take apart’... hahaha. My Mum taught me about men’s shirts, hard times is a great inspiration and we’ve just continued along because they are beautiful... 😘🇨🇦
“Take apart” is perfect and sounds so much more refined than “cut up” or “break down!” Now if I can just retrain myself to say it that way! 😳😊🤣🤩 Thanks for the comment and for watching! ❤️
Well, you have inspired me! I just returned from our thrift store and found a few shirts that I am going to "break down" or "cut-up", hahaha! I had no idea how truly nice and beautiful a man's shirt really is. Who knew! Thank you so much. I am so glad your channel popped on my page, I enjoy you so much. Looking forward to more! Happy sewing!!
Your videos are so informative and fun!! You have such a wonderful personality and sense of humor! I have some of my mom’s dress shirts I want to breakdown to use in projects and your method will be so helpful in getting the most out of them. She passed away in December 2020 and I hope to make some gifts for Christmas this year for family members from her shirts. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and I can’t wait til the next one comes out. 😊
So sorry for your loss…2020 was a tough year! 😔😫 I’m sure your family will appreciate your thoughtfulness in using your mom’s shirts! Thanks for watching and for commenting!
Awww! 🥰 If you were my neighbor I’d make you cookies at Christmas and invite you over for coffee. And my house would be a mess and I wouldn’t clean it up for you because I believe in people seeing the real deal. So glad I made you laugh! ☺️ Thanks for watching and commenting. ❤️
I Enjoy the interpretation of slang that you share. I am Canadian and here a cut up describes a prankster who’s a bit mischievous. But I am “cracking up” on the seam reaper comment still from you earlier video. My dad always called me Jac the ripper cause I spent hours when learning to sew on ripping out sewing mistakes. Now I must consider Jac the reaper? Serial killer or death (sigh) another observation about language, when I refer to myself as a sewist it auto corrects to sexist 😩. Got the giggles here. Enjoying what you are putting out in the world … take good care
This past winter I started thrifting men's shirts and I made my 8 granddaughters patchwork skirts. Actually even my 85 years old mother asked for a "crazy" skirt. They absolutely love them. I was amazed at the amount of fabric I reclaimed from one shirt....love the very large shirts. I have started to make quilt blocks from the fabric left over from the skirts. I was thrilled to find your channel and am enjoying each episode. I especially enjoy your vocabulary lessons. I am from Calgary, Canada and I find our different speech patterns so very interesting. And I appreciate your humorous take on each situation. Your videos are very enjoyable and I can hardly wait to see the different lessons you present to us after you finish "breaking down" this shirt.
Your "don't say cut up" thing reminded me of watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' Atlanta where they always want to "jack up" a prospective bride with a veil, tiara, etc. Each and every time I hear that I wince. Where I grew up, "jacking someone up" meant to violently assault them with the intent of serious injury.
Thank you!! You don’t have to quilt to enjoy the thrift store, men’s shirts or great fabric!❤️ And there are a thousand uses for these fabrics: from bags, to home goods to clothes. The possibilities are endless! 😊
I'm enjoying your videos so much! Also, I'm glad you have done all the experimenting for me as to the most effective and efficient way to make the most of a shirt!
Good Beautiful Morning Sis! I cut up or break down mine using a rotary cutter mainly because I’m impatient! Cannot wait for video 3! I’m anxious to see if you get more fabric out of your shirts than I do.
Morning! I don’t use a rotary cutter because I’m usually sitting on the couch watching tv while I break down shirts! If I do get more fabric out of them than you, I bet it’s only a little bit! 😘
Lol, love your sense of humor. I worked in a candy plant where the rooms had to be cold but I was rarely cold. Love the sleeve idea for cold people! 🤣🤣🤣
I usually want videos to be shorter, but I was sorry yours ended so quickly! I want to make a quilt from men’s shirts and am anxious to begin…but I don’t want to miss any techniques or tips from you! You are fun to watch and listen to, so keep up the great work!
Have you ever tried using a small rotary cutter to cut along the seams? Itseems like it would be faster but maybe not because you'd have to straighten the shirt often.
Hello! I hope you had a great day! I had a very busy but fun filled day in my sewing room ironing more fabrics and now I get to hand quilt. Thank you for posting your video.
Cutting/cuttin up has both meanings for me and I am from Philadelphia. Cuttin up was like talking behind someone's back and being mean and it also means cutting up or out the fabric in your sense...haha.....I think I am finally catching on to this quilting with shirts...I HOPE>>>>lol
Thank you. I was given some flannel shirts to make a memory quilt 2.5 years ago. Ripping the seams was too much and I would put it away. Out of sight, out of mind for me. I will cut now and make progress. On to Part 3.
Thank you for addressing the cut up/break down vs. the seam reaper options. It didn't want to feel lazy or to be wasteful, but trying to undo the seams takes forever. From now on, it will be scissors all the way.
As I reread the subtitle, I am reminded of Miss Palace (6th grade) - we should either say “man’s dress shirt” [singular] or ‘mens’ dress shirts’ [plural] - or am I just too old and remembering the grammar police.🤣
Thank you for the video, I'm a sewist (not sewer 😀) but have never thought to deconstruct a men's shirt and use the fabric. Thanks to you from now on I'm gonna look totally different at a men's shirt in a thrift store. I just have one question...what scissors are you using? Seems like you're cutting butter!
Fiskars spring loaded scissors. They are SO easy to cut with, even though the scissors themselves are pretty big! Also that shirt was so fine, it practically slid through the blades. Like buttah!! 😂 Maybe I can get my husband to put a link to the scissors in the description (I’m very tech-averse! 😄) Thanks for watching!
When I was growing up in the Midwest, “cutting up” meant joking around and being silly. I also hear the phrase “cutting up rough” in my British shows, which seems to mean throwing a fit, so there’s that.
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I’m a Kentucky girl but Bama has my boy so I’ll Roll Tide. He qualified for an amazing scholarship. We went down to visit in the doldrums of a Kentucky February and he fell in love. UA campus is amazing.
I learned to “de-bone” a shirt. My best advice is find a very suave, gay man with great ‘taste’ in shirts. I have received some extraordinary shirts - thank you!
I also de-bone shirts. I think I originally came across that term from Bonnie Hunter. She had a book devoted to sewing from men's shirts. I think it's called Scraps and Shirt tails
You are a hoot..up here in Canada we call them seam rippers...I have never ever heard them call reapers..I found it so funny...and I can't find your 3rd video..I went to your page but it's not there.
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I am interested in why you don’t rip by hand. Having said the question…possibly because of the fraying and then curves that may yield less fabric than a cut. 💕
@@redparrot9489 yes! I had the genius idea to just start a notch and tear down the side seam and to my horror tore totally into the back panel and probably wasted 5-8 inches width of fabric! Once was enough to deter me from trying again! 😱😱😱
My spring loaded scissors died, so I started breaking down with regular fabric scissors and now my forearm has achy muscles it never knew existed. Do you feel like the spring loaded scissors make a difference in fatigue?
So my question is, if or when you use new quilting cotton with your mens shirt fabrics together in a quilt, I’m assuming the new fabric should be washed first correct?
I am in the process of making a quilt out of men's shirts. I cut them up (i know, I'm not southern)according to a blogger from England. What do you do with the cuffs and collars? I think I tossed them........My squares are 9 inches and I plan to use the shirt scraps for a scrappy binding and to build some blocks with scraps.
In my next video in this series (part 3) I address cuffs but the short version is it depends on how big the cuffs are, if they have been fused with interfacing, and if I ***reaallllyyyy*** like the fabric. Most of the time I don’t keep them.
I do use them all the time. I wash all my shirts on warm or hot and sometimes soak them in vinegar if they have smells or stains…which I do think removes some of the softness. But as the quilt is used and washed and dried it softens right up just like quilting cottons do. 😊👍🏻 Great question!! Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
I seam rip all the seams.I start with the sleeves! I rip them into strips for bows. I save the cuffs for making brackets. I always wait for .99 cent day at Goodwill to purchase mens shirts.
I’m from up north. If I wanted to describe whether I was referring to left or right, I would likely say “left facing” or “right facing”. “Left” would refer to my own left and “left facing” would refer to standing in front of something and referencing left, which actually would be the something’s right….hehe. I’m interested in making a quilt from shirts but have been deterred by slippery fabric. Do you use pins or simply avoid cotton/poly blends and shirts with an ultra smooth finish ?
Thanks for this! If I can keep it straight I will start using “left facing” and “right facing!” As for the shirts, I do avoid poly blends for that very reason…sometimes I break my own rule and I always regret it. Sometimes the end result is beautiful though! I also use pins, especially when the fabric has a bit of a stretch or give (think: linen) or if it’s a very smooth tight weave.
Hi Kathy (sp?) I saw your first video last week about using men’s shirts for quilts, I don’t quilt big quilts, just small lap quilts and lots of machine embroidery. So I went to my thrift store and purchased 8 men’s shirts… I’m making patches with machine embroidery designs and some fidget pads. Wow shirts are the cats MEOW! Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t it so exciting when you find great shirts and realize just how much great fabric is there? It’s just the BEST. Thanks for watching and commenting!
OhMylanta, you are the most fun! I just found your channel a couple of days ago and am really impressed with your communication skills. It's lovely to see such laughter as well. Those scissors look interesting. Please share what brand/type . They look as if they'd be easier on your hand. Thanks for truly enjoyable instructions.
oh my goodness! Thank you!! 🥰 Here is the link for the scissors I use to break down shirts: www.amazon.com/Fiskars-No-8-Premier-Action-Scissors/dp/B00006IFNC/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=fiskars+spring+loaded+scissors&qid=1658100838&sprefix=fiskars+sping%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-7 I love them!! Thanks for watching and for your comment! (and sorry it took me a hot minute to reply! )❤️
I’ve also seen disassemble and debone…lots of terms to choose from. Dissect makes me think of high school biology! (Which I actually loved so maybe that’s good? Lol) Someone else uses “unsew” which I have to say I like a whole lot. ☺️🤩
Cut up in the north is more laughter or joking around, or to chop up things like vegetables. Break down is flatting boxes for recycling, or a nervous break down, or emotional break down. I think we say: to deconstruct a finished item to make it into its parts. I just found you just this week. I think tomorrow I’m going to thrift stores!
I hope you do go to the thrift stores and have fantastic luck finding beautiful shirts! So glad you found my channel---welcome! ❤️
I grew up in the south and your humor is like a breath of fresh air to me. Also I’m loving this whole video series/idea! Using mens shirts is such a great idea I can’t believe I didn’t think of it on my own!
Thank you!
Bonnie Hunter wrote a book about men's shirt quilts, though Cathy has a whole different and terrific take on the subject. I was so happy to find her.
@@mambakind aww thank you! 🥰
"I just nearly stuck those scissors straight in my face." Laaaawd, I'm so glad I'm not the only person who encounters hazards like that! 😅Look, a lot of us (especially Southern women, in my experience) talk with our hands! These things (nearly) happen! SO relatable. Your videos are very enjoyable to watch. Looking forward to more.
Thank you! And thanks for watching and commenting!
I'm interested to see in future segments if you mention how to deal with bias as the fabric gets cut for use. LOVE your video content and more so your delivery (from personable manner to backend/technical decisions that come through in your videos). All too many tutorials have a rushed manner about them; yours are very relaxing.
Thank you for watching and commenting! Yes, I’m planning a video on how to cut the shirt further for quilt piecing. ❤️
You only have 5 videos so far and you already have over 4,000 subscribers?! That's amazing, and yet I'm not surprised. Looking forward to seeing all your videos.
Thank you!!! 🥰
You are a “cut up”! In a good way! I’m learning so much and can’t wait to try this method of quilting. Thank you.
😂 Thank you, Deborah! 🥰 Get ready---it's addictive! ❤️
Haha! I enjoy your comments so much! I moved to Georgia 3 years ago and find so many people to be charming! Sometimes I have to ask them to explain. However I grew up in Scotland and South Africa so I have a lot of sayings from both places and I have to explain myself too! Life is fun!
Thank you for these videos on using men’s dress shirts for quilting. I am learning so much and I LOVE your sense of humor!
Thank you so much! ❤️ I'm glad you're enjoying them--thanks for watching and for commenting!
You are such a joy to watch. 😃😂🤣
Oh thank you!
I love all your tutorials!! You had me laughing this morning!! You will get a lot of Karen’s giving their opinion! Don’t listen to them!
Can’t wait till the next 😍
Thank you! And yes,I have and will get comments that are the opposite of yours…trying to learn to tune them out!
Oh goodness I agree with you! This Karen loves her videos and her charming southern personality does make me smile!
@@ksantuci thank you thank you!
@@ksantuci My best friend is a beautiful Karen!! Sorry about the Karen comment!! ❣️❣️
It's interesting how things pop up in your RUclips Feed! Your video appeared and your thumbnail intriuged me! Thanks for the great ideas. I do a little quilting & making clothing. I work in a fabric store so I'm always surrounded by fabric! Blessings from Ontario, Canada
Lucky duck! I would be in the poorhouse if I worked at a fabric store…I’d spend my whole paycheck! 🤣
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I'd ask to be paid in fabric. 🤣
@@Sharon-pb7so even BETTER. ❤️
LOVE your videos!! I first used a man's shirt when making a "memory" quilt and also saw the value of the fabric in it. Now I'm thinking I've got to start thrifting and find some more. Keep the videos coming as I love your sense of humor and it definitely made me smile!!
Oh yay! Thanks for watching!
Noooo! I want to see more. Cant wait for the next upload!
I’ll have another one on Friday!
I use the Side Seams from men's shirts, to tie up my flowers and tomato plants to a trellis or tomato c
age.
They blend in and hold tight. They are gentle to the plants, too.
Genius! I don't garden or grow green things well, but the gardeners in my life are about to be overrun with side seams! ;)
Kathy Hoffart, I tie them onto my re useable shopping bags to stop people from 'accidently' waking off with them. So many repurpose uses for the seams! 🙂
@@patwinter800 I agree that there are numerous uses for the 'strings.' I roll my linens (top sheet, bottom sheet, and pillowcases) for each bed in a separate bundle and tie with shirt seams and fabric selvages. With cute little bows for easy removal. Blankets too. I have so many though that I am mulling over some creative projects to use them up.
@@mambakind I love all your ideas! With the seams ( if not to thick) and fabric selvedges ( especially) you can make your own material by raw edge stitching onto backing material. Fusible webbing works really well for appliques etc.. Then there's those unique quit blocks, carry bags, wall art, small play rugs, sensory books and toys plus pet items. I hope once Cathy has finished the shirt series she does one on denim jeans. 🙂
@@patwinter800 Yes, I made some postcards with selvages. I want a jeans video too. I am somewhat leery of using such heavy fabric and could use some hand-holding.
Seam Reaper; you’re killing me! I laughed so hard during your first video at that blooper, and I just know I’ll never call it a seam ripper again. Love your down-home, chatty presentation, like you’re talking to a friend over coffee, and the way you laugh at yourself. It’s very honest, comfortable and friendly. I don’t subscribe to many RUclipsrs, but I did here.😊
Oh my goodness! Thank you, Sharon!!🥰❤️😊 What a wonderful compliment!! Thank you for watching….and commenting!❤️
I absolutely love your sense of humor! I love how you laugh and joke with us as we learn. Thank you for taking the time to teach us!
Thank you! 🥰
I am really enjoying your videos! You are a breath of fresh air! Love your joyful spirit!
Thank you!
I grew up and live in northeast KY. I totally can understand your sayings and love to hear all you have to say. I’m also a retired nurse and understand the being cold at work. I freeze year round even with a T-shirt or in winter thermal shirt, scrub top and lab jacket. I feel for your coworkers!!🥶🥶
Also Iin my area cutting up could be laughing a little too loud for the Drs you were working with. 😂😂😂
This is a very interesting process. So glad you cut those seams off and aren't saying that we should unpick the seams. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, ideas and humor. 😅
Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
I wanted unique fabrics for my island print stash, and found cheap ones to deconstruct. Got some real treasures that way. I also transitioned from seam ripping to simply cutting, with a few exceptions.
You are delightful!! I lived in the south for about 18 months and have never lost my love for the area, the people, the accent, and the vocabulary. This series is wonderful and I'm so glad I found you. I have some linen women's shirts that I've wanted to break down and use the fabric to make a patchwork skirt. Thanks ever so much for sharing your expertise.
Aww, thank you, Rozylass! ❤️ I'm so glad you found me too!
Awesome video! You have such a great sense of humor. Love it! :D
Thank you!
Town wide garage sales soon. Will be looking for mens shirts. Thank you for this series. I enjoy your wakadoodle sense of humor. God Bless you!
“Wakadoodle” 🤣 Perfect description! Thanks for watching!
Love your humor as well as your thoroughness in your explanations!
I think thoroughness is one of my personal values (lol!) so thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video! Thank you so much for watching and commenting!
I have a hard time using the words cut up, specifically with customers about memory pillows. I think I might start using deconstructing, it sounds nicer.
I'm really enjoying your videos, learning alot 🙂 Thanks for sharing ✂️👔
Thank you! I’ve also seen “disassemble” and “dissect”…a commenter this morning said “unsew” which might be the best one ever!
This is a lot nicer way to break down. Saw a video of a lady in England and she snip the ripped. Not very nice. Love that your husband put comments up. Keep it up very entertaining.
Another great video Cathy! I am learning new things from you. Who knew you could make a quilt from dress shirts! Thanks ❤
You’re the most adorable kook and I just love your sense of humor. Wish you were a neighbor…..I am just as kookie as you are can you imagine the fun we would have….I am watching to see what you come up with the collars and cuffs…..I cut away the buttons last time, will remove them next time in hopes that the extra work you are causing me is well worth it HA!
I love your sense of humor. You are such a cut up!
I don’t know about you, but I find it very therapeutic in cutting up shirts and especially jeans. I also keep the seams I cut away because I use the in so many other crafts.
I do find it therapeutic…and no I don’t keep the seams, but another commenter (on another video!) keeps them to make rugs which I think is genius!
Love the Adventureland quilt in the back.
Definitely looking for men's shirts while theifting!
Thank you!
So, do you steal men's shirts while looking for other things or do you steal other things then happen upon men's shirts before you hightail it out of your preferred place for thievery? 🥴 Just playing with you and couldn't resist.
OMG! I can't stop chuckling over the thought of taking those sleeves to work for the gals who are cold! Absolutely genius!! Can't wait for the next video! (I am continuing to look for that guy with the yellow shirt and dachshunds. I NEED that shirt!) :)
If she does, she needs to use those strings and put a claw clip hooked to a mitten on each side.
You will forever regret not asking that guy for the dachshund shirt! 😂 I thought those sleeves were hysterical too…my work girls prob would just roll their eyes at me. They’re fairly used to my silliness!
Love your channel, and I always say ‘take apart’... hahaha. My Mum taught me about men’s shirts, hard times is a great inspiration and we’ve just continued along because they are beautiful... 😘🇨🇦
“Take apart” is perfect and sounds so much more refined than “cut up” or “break down!” Now if I can just retrain myself to say it that way! 😳😊🤣🤩
Thanks for the comment and for watching! ❤️
I clicked on this video as soon as I poured my morning coffee and saw it! Great way to start out and with a laugh, too! I'll be here for the next one!
Aww thanks! 🥰
Well, you have inspired me! I just returned from our thrift store and found a few shirts that I am going to "break down" or "cut-up", hahaha! I had no idea how truly nice and beautiful a man's shirt really is. Who knew! Thank you so much. I am so glad your channel popped on my page, I enjoy you so much. Looking forward to more! Happy sewing!!
Thanks for watching! I hope you enjoy the break down process and get a lot of great fabric out of it!❤️
So glad I watched this. I broke down my first shirt and I snipped all the stitching out. 😮 Took awhile. 💤💤💤
Hooray! So glad it was helpful! ❤️
Love your fun personality ♥️. Such a brilliant idea and so much cheaper!! Seam reaper will be my new name for it! Can’t wait for part three!!
Oh thank you! 🥰 thanks for watching and commenting!
Your videos are so informative and fun!! You have such a wonderful personality and sense of humor! I have some of my mom’s dress shirts I want to breakdown to use in projects and your method will be so helpful in getting the most out of them. She passed away in December 2020 and I hope to make some gifts for Christmas this year for family members from her shirts. Thank you for taking the time to make these videos and I can’t wait til the next one comes out. 😊
So sorry for your loss…2020 was a tough year! 😔😫 I’m sure your family will appreciate your thoughtfulness in using your mom’s shirts! Thanks for watching and for commenting!
I wish you were my neighbor! You are so funny and smart. I keep laughing out loud. I told my husband not to throw any dress shirts out. ♥️ From NC USA
Awww! 🥰 If you were my neighbor I’d make you cookies at Christmas and invite you over for coffee. And my house would be a mess and I wouldn’t clean it up for you because I believe in people seeing the real deal. So glad I made you laugh! ☺️ Thanks for watching and commenting. ❤️
I can't wait to see your next videos Cathy! We would have fun as neighbors. I would give you produce and Zinnias from my garden. 😂😍
@@anitajackson8622 and I would happily (and gratefully) take them!
You are an absolute delight. 😁 Thank you for a fascinating, fun, funny video! Now I know what to do with all my husband's old shirts!
Thank you, Michelle! What a wonderful comment!❤️
I Enjoy the interpretation of slang that you share. I am Canadian and here a cut up describes a prankster who’s a bit mischievous. But I am “cracking up” on the seam reaper comment still from you earlier video. My dad always called me Jac the ripper cause I spent hours when learning to sew on ripping out sewing mistakes. Now I must consider Jac the reaper? Serial killer or death (sigh) another observation about language, when I refer to myself as a sewist it auto corrects to sexist 😩. Got the giggles here. Enjoying what you are putting out in the world … take good care
Oh I love this! Jac the reaper for sure! Glad you’re enjoying the videos and thanks for watching!
This past winter I started thrifting men's shirts and I made my 8 granddaughters patchwork skirts. Actually even my 85 years old mother asked for a "crazy" skirt. They absolutely love them. I was amazed at the amount of fabric I reclaimed from one shirt....love the very large shirts. I have started to make quilt blocks from the fabric left over from the skirts. I was thrilled to find your channel and am enjoying each episode. I especially enjoy your vocabulary lessons. I am from Calgary, Canada and I find our different speech patterns so very interesting. And I appreciate your humorous take on each situation. Your videos are very enjoyable and I can hardly wait to see the different lessons you present to us after you finish "breaking down" this shirt.
Thank you for watching and commenting…and yes our speech patterns can be so different! Especially here in the American South! 😳🤣☺️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts When Jimmy Carter was elected president, the comment going around was, "We Southerners no longer have an accent; You-all do."
@@mambakind 😂😂😂
Your "don't say cut up" thing reminded me of watching 'Say Yes to the Dress' Atlanta where they always want to "jack up" a prospective bride with a veil, tiara, etc. Each and every time I hear that I wince. Where I grew up, "jacking someone up" meant to violently assault them with the intent of serious injury.
I wonder if that’s an Atlanta thing, because I think of “jacking someone up” the same way you do! 😳😱🤣
I don’t do much quilting but your first shirt video was interesting. Loved your humor and can’t wait to finish the series.
Thank you!! You don’t have to quilt to enjoy the thrift store, men’s shirts or great fabric!❤️
And there are a thousand uses for these fabrics: from bags, to home goods to clothes. The possibilities are endless! 😊
I subscribed halfway into the first video I watched. Looking forward to your future videos.
Oh thank you! 🥰
I'm enjoying your videos so much! Also, I'm glad you have done all the experimenting for me as to the most effective and efficient way to make the most of a shirt!
Thank you, Elizabeth! ❤️
I call it 'boning' the shirt. Hey friend, new, thanks!
That made me laugh! Love having new friends...thanks for watching!
I just found a new favorite channel!
Oh yay!!! (insert gif of Kermit's muppet show "yay" here) Thanks for watching and for commenting!
Good Beautiful Morning Sis! I cut up or break down mine using a rotary cutter mainly because I’m impatient! Cannot wait for video 3! I’m anxious to see if you get more fabric out of your shirts than I do.
Morning! I don’t use a rotary cutter because I’m usually sitting on the couch watching tv while I break down shirts! If I do get more fabric out of them than you, I bet it’s only a little bit! 😘
I grew up in the south but live in Yankee land . My contemporaries refer to the process as " unsewing" ! Or Rip it !
Ooh I like that!
I also say frogging sometimes because of doing crochet and knitting (rip-it, rip-it, rip-it).
@@stefflcus 😂😂😂
I love your humor! Your videos are great!
Thank you, Lori! ❤️
Lol, love your sense of humor. I worked in a candy plant where the rooms had to be cold but I was rarely cold. Love the sleeve idea for cold people! 🤣🤣🤣
They would either laugh or roll their eyes at me. Or both! 🤣
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Thanks ❤
Do you even know how funny you are? 🤣 I really do enjoy your videos. See you next time!
Well I crack my own self up but it always surprises me when I make someone else laugh! Thank you for watching (and laughing!) and commenting! 🥰
Your videos are so delightful! I find them informative and fun!!!
Thank you!🥰
How did I just now find your channel?!? I am living with a bunch of Yankees, but wish we were neighbors 😍. We would have a good time cuttin up!
Well honestly my channel is only 2 weeks old, so you're definitely not late to the party! And yes we would!! Thanks for watching and for commenting.
I usually want videos to be shorter, but I was sorry yours ended so quickly! I want to make a quilt from men’s shirts and am anxious to begin…but I don’t want to miss any techniques or tips from you! You are fun to watch and listen to, so keep up the great work!
Oh thank you!
Enjoying your vlog..I call it "deboning"..lol and cant wait for future videos..love your sense of humor!
Thank you! So glad you’re enjoying them!
Have you ever tried using a small rotary cutter to cut along the seams? Itseems like it would be faster but maybe not because you'd have to straighten the shirt often.
Hello! I hope you had a great day! I had a very busy but fun filled day in my sewing room ironing more fabrics and now I get to hand quilt. Thank you for posting your video.
I did! And it sounds like you did too! Thanks for watching and commenting!
I love your humor!! You make me smile!!💕💕❤❤💕💕❤❤
Then my work here is done. 😘
So refreshing in so many ways. Love your personality as well as the idea behind men's shirts. :)
Thank you! And thanks for the comment!
I’m a new subscriber! Thank you for sharing your expertise with us:)
Thank you for subscribing!
I just found your channel and I’m all ready to find and watch all of them! I love your humor and can’t wait to tune in tomorrow !
Oh good! But next video will drop on Friday! Thanks for watching!
Thank you! This is so helpful...I am new to quilting but I confess we say cut up here in NY.
Lol. It’s ok…I won’t think less of you for it. 😉😂🥰
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Cutting/cuttin up has both meanings for me and I am from Philadelphia. Cuttin up was like talking behind someone's back and being mean and it also means cutting up or out the fabric in your sense...haha.....I think I am finally catching on to this quilting with shirts...I HOPE>>>>lol
Well I'm glad to know the meaning translates outside of the South! Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@TheCatBirdQuilts so enjoyable
Thank you. I was given some flannel shirts to make a memory quilt 2.5 years ago. Ripping the seams was too much and I would put it away. Out of sight, out of mind for me. I will cut now and make progress. On to Part 3.
Oh I’m so glad that I have some small part of helping you make progress! That gives me joy. 🥰
Lol enjoyed listening to you
Aw thank you! 🥰 thanks for watching!
Absolutely delightful! Plus wonderful explanation. Thank you for brightening my day.
Oh I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching! 🥰
Gah. I love every single thing you produce. So education and engaging. More please. :)
Oh my goodness! ☺️ thanks for the kind words. ❤️
Working on new videos all the time…thank you for watching!!
Thank you for addressing the cut up/break down vs. the seam reaper options. It didn't want to feel lazy or to be wasteful, but trying to undo the seams takes forever. From now on, it will be scissors all the way.
Scissors for the WIN! 😊🤩
As I reread the subtitle, I am reminded of Miss Palace (6th grade) - we should either say “man’s dress shirt” [singular] or ‘mens’ dress shirts’ [plural] - or am I just too old and remembering the grammar police.🤣
New Subscriber! Love your videos😊..I love making quilts❤️
Somehow I missed this comment...sorry 'bout that! Thanks for watching and subscribing and for the sweet words. Glad to have you along with me!
@@TheCatBirdQuilts Thank you😊
Love your videos, can’t wait for the next one 😊
Oh thank you!! 🥰
Thank you for the video, I'm a sewist (not sewer 😀) but have never thought to deconstruct a men's shirt and use the fabric. Thanks to you from now on I'm gonna look totally different at a men's shirt in a thrift store. I just have one question...what scissors are you using? Seems like you're cutting butter!
Fiskars spring loaded scissors. They are SO easy to cut with, even though the scissors themselves are pretty big! Also that shirt was so fine, it practically slid through the blades. Like buttah!! 😂
Maybe I can get my husband to put a link to the scissors in the description (I’m very tech-averse! 😄)
Thanks for watching!
When I was growing up in the Midwest, “cutting up” meant joking around and being silly. I also hear the phrase “cutting up rough” in my British shows, which seems to mean throwing a fit, so there’s that.
It can be so many things! Crazy, right?!? 🤣
Are you in the Nashville area? You remind me so much of the people I love. We would have so much fun cutting up!
We would have fun cutting up! No, not in Nashville (but I lived there once! ❤️) a little further south in Alabama! 😊
And aww! Thank you! 🥰
Roll Tide!
@@gina8330 lol! I’m a War Eagle girl…but Alabama is a wonderful spot for us both! ❤️
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I’m a Kentucky girl but Bama has my boy so I’ll Roll Tide. He qualified for an amazing scholarship. We went down to visit in the doldrums of a Kentucky February and he fell in love. UA campus is amazing.
If you keep the strips you could use as drawstring
That's a great idea! I've actually been saving them lately, and knitting them into a rag rug!
My husband wears 3X-4XL shirts; I was able to get 9" and 10" squares out of his short sleeved shirt sleeves!
Wow! 🤩 That’s fantastic!
I learned to “de-bone” a shirt. My best advice is find a very suave, gay man with great ‘taste’ in shirts. I have received some extraordinary shirts - thank you!
Well getting them directly from the source is a great way to go if you have that person in your life! 😂😍🤩 Thanks for watching and commenting!
I also de-bone shirts. I think I originally came across that term from Bonnie Hunter. She had a book devoted to sewing from men's shirts. I think it's called Scraps and Shirt tails
You are a hoot..up here in Canada we call them seam rippers...I have never ever heard them call reapers..I found it so funny...and I can't find your 3rd video..I went to your page but it's not there.
It will air tomorrow at 6am CST. New one comes out each Tuesday! 😊
And thank you! I love to make people (and myself!) laugh!😂
It is so satisfying to watch you deconstruct the shirt. Q: why don’t you rip instead of cut?
Are you asking why don’t I rip them by hand, or asking why don’t I CALL it ripping?
And thanks!
@@TheCatBirdQuilts I am interested in why you don’t rip by hand. Having said the question…possibly because of the fraying and then curves that may yield less fabric than a cut. 💕
@@redparrot9489 yes! I had the genius idea to just start a notch and tear down the side seam and to my horror tore totally into the back panel and probably wasted 5-8 inches width of fabric! Once was enough to deter me from trying again! 😱😱😱
My spring loaded scissors died, so I started breaking down with regular fabric scissors and now my forearm has achy muscles it never knew existed. Do you feel like the spring loaded scissors make a difference in fatigue?
Yes, very much so!! And my hand will start to get sore too if I use different scissors unless they are VERY sharp!
So my question is, if or when you use new quilting cotton with your mens shirt fabrics together in a quilt, I’m assuming the new fabric should be washed first correct?
I never prewash them, and thus far, haven’t had a single problem. But in theory, yes, because one is pre-shrunk and the other is not.
We call the seam rippers in the north! Lol
Question: could you leave the serger sewn seam intact if it can be in the seam of a quilt.
I imagine you could--I've just never done it myself. 😊
I am in the process of making a quilt out of men's shirts. I cut them up (i know, I'm not southern)according to a blogger from England. What do you do with the cuffs and collars? I think I tossed them........My squares are 9 inches and I plan to use the shirt scraps for a scrappy binding and to build some blocks with scraps.
In my next video in this series (part 3) I address cuffs but the short version is it depends on how big the cuffs are, if they have been fused with interfacing, and if I ***reaallllyyyy*** like the fabric. Most of the time I don’t keep them.
Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Love your videos on using mens shirts. Do you just remove front breast pocket. Or do you only buy shirts with no pocket?
I remove them! 👍🏻😊
Would u use a dress shirt whose label says 100% cotton, no iron. Does the no iron thing make the fabric not be so soft?
I do use them all the time. I wash all my shirts on warm or hot and sometimes soak them in vinegar if they have smells or stains…which I do think removes some of the softness. But as the quilt is used and washed and dried it softens right up just like quilting cottons do. 😊👍🏻
Great question!! Thank you for watching and commenting! ❤️
You are so funny…bah 😂
I seam rip all the seams.I start with the sleeves! I rip them into strips for bows. I save the cuffs for making brackets. I always wait for .99 cent day at Goodwill to purchase mens shirts.
All great ideas. Thanks for sharing. 😊
When quilting from men's dress shirts do you use 100 % cotton shirts?
I do my best to use 100% cotton, cotton/linen blend or linen. Every now and again I’ll break my own rule, and I usually regret it!😂
I've heard of this process as "deboning" a shirt.
I hadn’t heard of that before, but other viewers have commented too…so somewhere that’s a thing! 👍🏻
I am cutting up laughing🤣😂
🤣😂👍🏻
I’m from up north. If I wanted to describe whether I was referring to left or right, I would likely say “left facing” or “right facing”. “Left” would refer to my own left and “left facing” would refer to standing in front of something and referencing left, which actually would be the something’s right….hehe.
I’m interested in making a quilt from shirts but have been deterred by slippery fabric. Do you use pins or simply avoid cotton/poly blends and shirts with an ultra smooth finish ?
Thanks for this! If I can keep it straight I will start using “left facing” and “right facing!” As for the shirts, I do avoid poly blends for that very reason…sometimes I break my own rule and I always regret it. Sometimes the end result is beautiful though! I also use pins, especially when the fabric has a bit of a stretch or give (think: linen) or if it’s a very smooth tight weave.
Oh and thanks for watching and for the comment! It’s a great question!
You are so charming.
Aww! Thanks! 🥰
Hi Kathy (sp?) I saw your first video last week about using men’s shirts for quilts, I don’t quilt big quilts, just small lap quilts and lots of machine embroidery. So I went to my thrift store and purchased 8 men’s shirts… I’m making patches with machine embroidery designs and some fidget pads. Wow shirts are the cats MEOW! Thanks for sharing!
Isn’t it so exciting when you find great shirts and realize just how much great fabric is there? It’s just the BEST. Thanks for watching and commenting!
OhMylanta, you are the most fun! I just found your channel a couple of days ago and am really impressed with your communication skills. It's lovely to see such laughter as well. Those scissors look interesting. Please share what brand/type . They look as if they'd be easier on your hand. Thanks for truly enjoyable instructions.
oh my goodness! Thank you!! 🥰 Here is the link for the scissors I use to break down shirts: www.amazon.com/Fiskars-No-8-Premier-Action-Scissors/dp/B00006IFNC/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=fiskars+spring+loaded+scissors&qid=1658100838&sprefix=fiskars+sping%2Caps%2C78&sr=8-7
I love them!!
Thanks for watching and for your comment! (and sorry it took me a hot minute to reply! )❤️
Get some flannel sleeves for them
Lol! Genius! They’ll be like, “ummm…what is THIS?!” 😂
You could dissect the shirt, or deconstruct it.
I’ve also seen disassemble and debone…lots of terms to choose from. Dissect makes me think of high school biology! (Which I actually loved so maybe that’s good? Lol) Someone else uses “unsew” which I have to say I like a whole lot. ☺️🤩